Katsina State government has released N25 billion to Ministry of Agriculture and its two parastatals for the development of agriculture in the last three and half years.

The state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, represented by his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, made this known yesterday during the opening of a three-day Katsina Agricultural Show at Kafinsoli in Kankia local government area of the state.

According to him, “The funds released for the implementation of various agricultural activities are aimed at boosting agricultural production and provision of employment to teeming population of the state.”

He further said his administration has provided facilities, incentives and enabling environment to ensure small scale farmers in the state are engaged massively all year round.

“Our target is to ensure that both wet and dry season farmers in the state are being supported and empowered to effectively compete positively with the global challenges that demand high level of commercial production, processing and marketing of products within and outside the country,” he stated.

On the maiden agricultural show, the governor said it is a testimony that the agricultural restoration agenda of his administration is on the right track, adding that about 80 per cent of the farming population in the state, who struggled to store their low harvest three years ago, now boast of surplus produce for sale to agro based industries and commodity dealers.”

In his remarks, the state deputy governor and commissioner for Agriculture, Mannir Yakubu, who spoke through the permanent secretary in the ministry, Aminu Bello K/Bai, disclosed that among others that the ministry had expended over N13 billion on adequate supply and distribution of fertiliser across the state at rates since the inception of the current administration.